Download Using The microscope To Compare Plant and Animal Cells

Name: ________________________
Date: ____________________
Using the Microscope to Compare Plant and Animal Cells
Introduction
All of the parts of a plant, from roots to leaves, contain the same basic building blocks of life:
cells. Cells in different plants have many of the same characteristics, but they also have some
differences. In this laboratory activity you will compare and contrast cells from two different
plants: Elodea and an onion. Then, you will view an animal cell so that you may compare and
contrast plant and animal cells.
Part I: Elodea Cell
1. View the Elodea leaf under the microscope on low power. Use the coarse adjustment and
the fine adjustment knobs to focus the image. Center the image.
2. Once the image is in focus, switch to high power and only use the fine adjustment knob
to sharpen the image.
3. Record your observations in the space provided below.
Title of sketch: _________________________
Magnification: __________________________
Description of cells: __________________
Part II: Onion Cell
1. View the onion skin under the microscope on low power. Use the coarse adjustment and
the fine adjustment knobs to focus the image. Center the image.
2. Once the image is in focus, switch to high power and only use the fine adjustment knob
to sharpen the image.
3. Record your observations in the space provided below.
Title of sketch: _________________________
Magnification: __________________________
Description of cells:
Part III: Animal Cell
2. View the muscle cell under the microscope on low power. Use the coarse adjustment and the
fine adjustment knobs to focus the image. Center the image.
3. Once the image is in focus, switch to high power and only use the fine adjustment knob to
sharpen the image.
4. Record your observations in the space provided below.
Title of sketch: _________________________
Magnification: __________________________
Description of cells: ______________________
Summary Questions
1. What was similar about all three of the cells?
2. How were the cells from the Elodea plant and the onion skin different? How were they the
same?
3. How were the plant and animal cells different?
4. Complete the diagram below to compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
PLANT CELLS
ANIMAL CELLS